Drama takes over

The annual Bharat Rang Mahotsav is back, this time with a touch of Poland, a tribute to Rabindra Nath Tagore and a whole lot more With 96 plays, 17 countries and 26 languages this year, the Bharat Rang Mahotsav promises to be bigger and a lot more colourful.

The annual Bharat Rang Mahotsavis back, this time with a touch of Poland, a tribute to Rabindra Nath Tagore and a whole lot more With 96 plays, 17 countries and 26 languages this year, the Bharat Rang Mahotsav promises to be bigger and a lot more colourful.

Hosted by the National School of Drama (NSD), the 14th edition of the Bharat Rang Mahotsav will kick off tomorrow with Ratan Thiyam’s new play King of the Dark Chamber.

Out of the huge line-up of plays in the festival, 17 productions are dedicated to poet Rabindranath Tagore, to mark his 150th birth anniversary.

“While 75 plays are from India alone, 16 are from foreign countries. We have a multidimensional focus on Tagore with some 17 productions through the theatrical adaptation of his famous plays, poems, dance dramas, group discussions and exhibitions,” says Aman Allana, chairperson, NSD.

“We also have an exhibition of some very rare photographs of Tagore directing his own plays,” he adds.

The festival will offer plays in some 26 languages, including Tulu and Mizu. Theatre and film veterans like director Sai Paranjpye, Saurabh Shukla, Seema Biswas and Lilette Dubey are also participating.

The international flavour of the festival is provided by three Polish productions in the Name of Jakob S, Grotowski, an Attempt to Retreat and a Chorus of Women.

Also, there are two plays from Pakistan Insha Ka Intezaa and Mera Rang de Basanti Chola, Little Prince from Afghanistan, and 4.48 Psychosis from Nepal.

Turkey and South Africa are the two new countries performing for the first time during the festival. pti

Foreign connectGrotowski, An Attempt to Retreat from Poland on January 9 at kamani Auditorium (7pm)Payanihal from Srilanka on January 10 at LTG Auditorium (6.30pm)Inkosazana from South Africa on January 11 at Bahumukh Auditorium (6pm)Insha Ka Intezaar from Pakistan on January 18 at LTG Auditorium (6.30pm)

Fact fileWhat: Bharat Rang Mahotsav, annual festival of National School of DramaWhen: January 8 - 22Where: At multiple venues. LTG Auditorium, SRC Auditorium, Kamani Auditorium and the National School of DramaContact: 23382821Log on to: nsdtheatrefest.comNearest Metro Station: Mandi House on the Blue Line